Donkey Kong Jungle Beat

For those of you that fail to see how a rhythm controller can work in a platformer, allow us to explain. You have to hit one of the drums to make DK move left or right, jumping it done by spanking both bongos at once, and a clap will cause DK to send out a force that will harm surrounding enemies. You can also interact with the environment through clapping, slapping and tapping. In a 3D world this game wouldn't work, and thus it is all in 2D, meaning you can only move forwards and backwards, up and down.

 

This game is all about rhythm, and keeping a sequence going. So you start off by hitting the right bongo, and DK starts to move, you spank both bongos to execute a jump, quickly clap to grab an item, get running again, defeat some enemies, speed up and so forth. It is an excellent experience, and one that sends our 'fun-o-meter' through the roof. The innovative ideas used to make the controller work are outstanding. When on land you have to swing from tree to tree, to do this you have to hit the right bongos in perfect timing to keep you motion going. It is elements like this that are needed a lot more in gaming.

 

When not on land you ride-a-back a buffalo type creature. The same rules apply, but hitting the drums this time will make the creature move, not DK. There are moments when we had to frantically pummel the bongo drum to get enough speed to escape a boulder, or outrun an enemy; insane!

 

The last bit we played saw us enter the fighting section of the game. As DK we entered a punch-out, where clapping cause DK to dodge, and the two bongos made him use the corresponding arm to punch! This is where we can see a lot of bongo-controllers getting damaged. Hitting the thing over and over again in a frenzy to win the fight may be funny, but if you are too enthusiastic it can hurt a little bit!